Military community reaction mixed to Bergdahl release

Though Americans may be celebrating the release of the only American soldier held prisoner in Afghanistan by the Taliban, the reaction of the military community has been mixed at best. Within an hour of the announcement that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was handed over to U.S. special forces by the Taliban Saturday evening, Army Times Facebook page lit up with hundreds of comments reacting to the news. Most centered on the circumstances surrounding Bergdahl's capture, which remain something of a mystery. There has been some speculation that he willingly walked away from his unit, raising the question of whether he could be charged with being absent without leave (AWOL) or desertion. Many angrily called Bergdahl a traitor or a deserter. Stephen Kirouac, calling Bergdahl a dirtbag and sympathizer, was among many who seized on that speculation to criticize the rescued soldier. He...